Tarlac: Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured continued assistance and vowed to look into the real cause of death of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Cyprus, during his visit to the bereaved family in their home in Tarlac on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a Facebook post on Thursday, the Department of Migrant Workers said that Cacdac also extended the government’s condolences to the family of Gerome Zarate De Castro. The Secretary assured that aside from financial assistance, the department and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will continue to provide support, including support for the education of the children of OFWs until they complete their studies, livelihood assistance, the prompt processing and release of appropriate insurance benefits, and the necessary legal assistance to determine the true cause of death of the OFW.

The OWWA reported that De Castro, who had worked for three years at the City of Dreams Cyprus, was found critically injured outside his apartment building in Limassol around September 28. Reports indicated that the victim was rushed to the Limassol General Hospital but died several hours later.

Local media in Cyprus initially reported the incident as a fall from a balcony, approximately six meters high. However, they quoted local police as saying forensic pathologists had reported De Castro died of haemorrhagic shock due to internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen, along with penetrating abdominal wounds. Authorities noted that these injuries were inconsistent with a simple fall.

Following the autopsy findings, local media said that the Cyprus police reclassified the case as premeditated murder, with the investigation ongoing. The DMW is also continuing to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the final autopsy results.

The OWWA confirmed that De Castro’s remains were repatriated on October 29 via Clark International Airport, through the joint efforts of the DMW, OWWA, and the Philippine Embassy. As an active member of OWWA, the family was immediately provided with its due benefits, including an accidental death benefit of PHP200,000, and assistance provided for his child under the Educational Livelihood Assistance Program. The family is also eligible for other OWWA programs, including livelihood support, stated OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan.